How does L-tyrosine work?

Q: How does L-tyrosine work?

L-Tyrosine is used in the body to make the catecholamines dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE), which can become depleted under stressful or cognitively challenging conditions. After supplementation, L-tyrosine levels in the blood peak after one to two hours, and stay elevated for up to eight hours. [1] L-tyrosine then passes through the blood-brain barrier, where it is absorbed by brain cells and converted in a series of enzymatic reactions to DA, which can be converted to NE through the action of another enzyme. [2] The ability of L-tyrosine to enhance catecholamine synthesis only in neurons that are actively firing may explain its ability to reverse the effects of neurotransmitter depletion during stress. [3]

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Accepted Answer

L-Tyrosine is used in the body to make the catecholamines dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE), which can become depleted under stressful or cognitively challenging conditions. After supplementation, L-tyrosine levels in the blood peak after one to two hours, and stay elevated for up to eight hours.^[1] L-tyrosine then passes through the blood-brain barrier, where it is absorbed by brain cells and converted in a series of enzymatic reactions to DA, which can be converted to NE through the action of another enzyme.^[2] The ability of L-tyrosine to enhance catecholamine synthesis only in neurons that are actively firing may explain its ability to reverse the effects of neurotransmitter depletion during stress.^[3]

How does L-tyrosine work?

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